Chaitali Shome, OP
A man of many talents, Gyanesh Mishra’s latest sculpture – the Clock Tower in Karnataka, has earned many laurels. Experimenting with the internal dynamics of form, Mishra uses metals like silver, gold and steel to transform his experiences into aesthetic objects that are full of vitality and sensuousness. Orissa Post met him at his Nayapalli residence during his recent visit to the capital city. Excerpts:
For long, you have been associated with pottery and paintings, why did you switch to sculpture?
It was Jatin Das who inspired me to pursue sculpture. He was quite impressed with my initial work. In fact, he believed that I am good at sculpture compared to painting. I have been following his advice seriously.
You worked on the famous Clock Tower sculpture in Davangere, Karnataka. Tell us something about it.
I had created the clock with advance technology. It can sense any accident within a radius of 50 meters and immediately inform both the police and ambulance about it through GPRS. The clock is run by solar and electric energy and incorporates sensors. The beautiful part of the watch is that it smiles and welcomes guests to the city. It even wishes ‘Happy Birthday’ and tells the time in three languages – Kannada, Hindi and English. I have designed the watch into an aesthetic form like a pair of perched birds. It took around seven months to complete. The clock measures 30 feet high and 19 feet wide. The sculpture has been widely appreciated by national as well as international sculptors.
Which sculptures created by you are close to your heart?
‘The Wildgrass’ is very close to my heart as it is my brain child and a result of sheer hard work. It took several months to be complete. Besides, the gold-plated Buddha in Goa is also one of my favourites.
Do you have plans to create any such masterpiece in Odisha too?
I am proud to be associated with Odisha as it is my motherland. I will be truly honoured if I get an opportunity to create metal sculptures in the scenic background of Odisha. However, my only plea to the state Lalit Kala Akademi is that they should develop a modern workshop equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to help artistes create exquisite artefacts.
What is your message to the younger generation?
Do your own work and don’t be dejected by criticism. Today whatever I am is due to my hard work, dedication and sheer devotion.
